The Return of Fluffy

  Last spring, Darling Daughter complained that she never gets to see the alligators that reside in the Bayou.  I informed her that since most alligators are a bit nocturnal, she would either have to get here at dawn or hang around here until just before dark.  Still, we made a trek to the pier and, much to her dismay, no alligators appeared.  That all changed on the way back up to the Little Bayou House, though.  Right where the pier meets the shore, I spied a tiny alligator just waiting to make its debut into the wild world of the Bayou.  The little critter was just a babe making it difficult to see.  Elizabeth and her husband, Robbie, both waltzed right past the little tot.  Had I not called their attention, the alligator would have gone unseen.   Elizabeth was so excited that she played with the little tyke for a few minutes and then named it "Fluffy". Why Fluffy?  I have no clue but that is what the gator became known as and from that day forward, she would ask about its whereabouts.  But as wildlife has a habit of doing, Fluffy made his great escape and hid from us for an entire year.

  Then, while Mark and I were on the pier this evening, Fluffy came calling.  Fluffy has GROWN!  The gator is now a nice four feet in length and is quite sure of himself.  He had outgrown the fear of being a tiny critter in a huge world!  In fact, the little gator was making his way to the pier to raid our crab traps!  

  The return of Fluffy makes me happy.  With all of the dangers of the wild,  tiny Fluffy could have very well become a meal for a larger critter. Even the other larger gators would not have hesitated to munch the poor babe.  While some folks argue my point, I think having alligators around the Bayou actually makes it a bit safer,  The gators are great about eating Cottonmouth Moccasins!  It is far easier for me to see a big, ole gator than a well-camouflaged moccasin.  Gators are good!  Welcome back, Fluffy!  It is a delight to see you again!